By Staff
A new era began on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday.
The Democrats took control of the House and Senate and elected the country's first female Speaker of the House in Nancy Pelosi of California.
We are pleased to see that President George W. Bush has decided to reach out to the new Congress and try to open up a dialogue that will hopefully lead to compromise in the future.
It appears that the White House has finally conceded that it cannot go it alone in trying to proceed with its agenda.
The Bush Administration has realized that there is work to do prior to the next presidential election and that work can only be accomplished by working together with Congress.
President Bush took the lead this week by announcing his agenda. He said he would like to see tax relief extended, pork barrel projects curbed and entitlement reform considered. He unveiled his new strategy on the War in Iraq as well.
President Bush also challenged the new Congress to work with him to balance the budget by 2012.
Among the items the new Congress will work on are rules that govern its own. The Democrats hope to pass new ethics and lobbying rules during this session.
Some of the other hot-button issues Congress will tackle during this session will be raising the federal minimum wage, federal support of stem cell research and lowering prescription drug costs.
Those issues will need plenty of compromise to be passed. Since the Democrats do not hold a large majority in either the House or Senate, they will have to work out some deals with the Republicans to get things done.
With the passing of former President Gerald R. Ford still fresh in their memories, we would suggest that bi-partisanship be re-established in Congress.
What better way to honor the late President Ford than to bring back those things he was so famous for during his years in Congress and as our president.
Now is the time to take a hold of the reins of compromise and actually get some work done in Congress.